Perry Rhodan: From the Moon to Parallel Universes (Travel Guides)

Anniversary approaching: the first novella was published 64 years ago on September 8, 1961.

Perry Rhodan is the central figure of the world's longest-running science fiction series, a German space opera that has been published continuously since 1961. Initially introduced as a U.S. Space Force Major, his story begins in 1971 when he commands the first human mission to the moon. This mission, however, is not a simple flag-planting expedition but a pivotal moment that forever alters the course of human history. On the moon, Rhodan and his crew discover a crashed spaceship belonging to the Arkonides, a highly advanced but decaying alien race. This encounter grants humanity access to incredible technology, which Rhodan uses not for military conquest, but to politically unify Earth and establish a new, neutral power.

From this initial act of unification, Rhodan's adventures expand from a terrestrial scale to a cosmic one. As the series progresses, the Terrans, under his leadership, venture into the galaxy and encounter a vast array of alien species and powerful cosmic entities. The narrative, spanning thousands of years, follows Rhodan and his core group of immortal companions as they navigate intergalactic politics, face off against threatening empires, and solve cosmic mysteries. His missions often involve more than just brute force; they require diplomacy, cunning, and an understanding of highly complex metaphysical concepts. The series explores themes of peace, the search for a place for humanity in the cosmos, and the struggle against forces that transcend time and space.

What makes Perry Rhodan's saga so compelling is its ever-expanding scope. The adventures evolve from simple space exploration to a complex future history that includes time travel, parallel universes, and encounters with god-like "Superintelligences." He is not a flawless hero, often making hard decisions, but his unwavering goal is always the preservation and advancement of his people. His story is a testament to the enduring appeal of epic space opera and the idea that one individual can shape the destiny of an entire civilization.

(Introduction by Gemini)

As of now, there are over 3,300 weekly novellas which are divided into cyles. For example, a single cycle might be about 50 to 100 novellas long and will tell a continuous, overarching story. These cycles are then sometimes grouped into even larger "grand cycles".

So, if you plan to visit Arkon, the Andromeda Nebula (M31), the M87 Galaxy, the Cosmic Castles, or the Great Void, this is the series for you. The series provides some really good travel guides.

If you want to read the stories in English, the first 130/140 were translated by Ace books and Vector Enterprises. For the rest, here is a work-around, get the German epubs of the stories and let AI translate them.

For more information: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Rhodan or https://perry-rhodan.net/ and links therein.